If it's hard for you to still your mind to meditate, the senior teachers at Kripalu Center have developed a five-step approach that could help. Follow these steps and allow yourself to fall into a deep meditative state that will reveal a closer connection to the present and help calm you when you're upset.
Breathe—Focusing on your breathing is an essential practice that draws your awareness inward and helps you experience the presence and flow of energy.
Relax—The more you relax, the more you deepen awareness of sensation.
Feel—Let your sense of feeling move beyond physical sensation. Acknowledge who you are as a being of energy.
Watch—Sense who you are as a witness; be a scientist observing phenomena arising in and around you.
Allow—Sense who you are with no preferences. Be present to the process of your life unfolding moment by moment.
IN THIS ISSUE
Let's Meditate
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/877
Monday, May 5, 2008
Why can't this always happen?
On Saturday, I decided to celebrate cinco de mayo with a few margaritas w/ friends at my fav mex resturant, Puerto Allegre in the Mission. We had a yummy feast and yes, a few pitchers of margaritas between the 5 of us. Then off to another bar down the street for beer. I knew what I was getting into (especially when you've read my past blogs about drinking alcohol).
It was a fantastic day! I set an intention for myself for the day that I would create laughter, fun, play and community. When we got to the bar we joined in on a fabulous dice game with some people. Even though some of them were the hipster-type, they were super friendly cool! We were playing this game, laughing, connecting and having fun.
My husband and i left around 6ish and yes, I was drunk! But just enough, that I do remember the walk home, the route I went etc. I also remember the conversation I had with my husband, so this is good! (hee hee hee)
When we got home, we decided to order chinese food. As I sat on the couch, that's when the motion started. I wasn't actually moving, but it sure felt like it. So I decided to go to the bathroom and hang out there for a bit. I did the classic position: kneeled down beside the toilet bowl and rested my arm on the side and then my head. Then 10 min later I puked. When I was finished, I went to bed. this was 7:30 I think.
The next morning I woke up feeling like a million bucks! A little dehydrated, but no headache and no queasiness. Wow I thought to myself, "Why can't I do this everytime I drink too much?". I had friends in college who could do this on command if they felt the need. I personally hate puking, so would avoid it as much as possible.
Anyway, I actually did stuff on Sunday w/o feeling horrible. Still, I wouldn't do this every weekend....;-)
It was a fantastic day! I set an intention for myself for the day that I would create laughter, fun, play and community. When we got to the bar we joined in on a fabulous dice game with some people. Even though some of them were the hipster-type, they were super friendly cool! We were playing this game, laughing, connecting and having fun.
My husband and i left around 6ish and yes, I was drunk! But just enough, that I do remember the walk home, the route I went etc. I also remember the conversation I had with my husband, so this is good! (hee hee hee)
When we got home, we decided to order chinese food. As I sat on the couch, that's when the motion started. I wasn't actually moving, but it sure felt like it. So I decided to go to the bathroom and hang out there for a bit. I did the classic position: kneeled down beside the toilet bowl and rested my arm on the side and then my head. Then 10 min later I puked. When I was finished, I went to bed. this was 7:30 I think.
The next morning I woke up feeling like a million bucks! A little dehydrated, but no headache and no queasiness. Wow I thought to myself, "Why can't I do this everytime I drink too much?". I had friends in college who could do this on command if they felt the need. I personally hate puking, so would avoid it as much as possible.
Anyway, I actually did stuff on Sunday w/o feeling horrible. Still, I wouldn't do this every weekend....;-)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Nia Rocks!
I just took a Nia class last night at City Dance in SF. It was my 2nd time taking one and I couldn't believe the energy that was pulsating out of me. Nia is a low-impact aerobics including dance, movement, martial arts and yoga. I also hadn't gotten my heartrate up like that in a long time and all I can say is WOW!
I so recommend this to anyone who just wants to move and have fun. I took my class with Monica Welty and she teaches all over SF.
I'm so glad I went because I knew I needed it. I have been too much in my head in this week and felt disconnected from people and myself. So bringing movement, music and community into my life again was the best thing ever!
My intention is to continue to create community, connection, movement and play into my life and in others.
Namaste.
I so recommend this to anyone who just wants to move and have fun. I took my class with Monica Welty and she teaches all over SF.
I'm so glad I went because I knew I needed it. I have been too much in my head in this week and felt disconnected from people and myself. So bringing movement, music and community into my life again was the best thing ever!
My intention is to continue to create community, connection, movement and play into my life and in others.
Namaste.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
After a yoga hiatus....
Get Your Groove Back
Setbacks are common in asana practice. A difficult pregnancy, an injury or illness, or an emotional upset can take the steam out of a once-joyful practice. There are times, too, when life just gets in the way. With children to raise, aging parents to care for, and jobs and chores to do, committing to yoga isn't easy. But even those of us with lapses of months or even years can make a successful return to the mat. By taking time to examine the reasons you stopped and your motivations for returning, you can ensure that this time around, your practice will prove fluid and flexible enough to remain a permanent part of your life.
If it's been a while since you've seen your mat, try the following:
Identify and address your reasons for having left yoga, so those same issues won't thwart your attempts to return.
Make adjustments. If a major life change precipitated the end of your yoga routine, you may have to make significant alterations to succeed at a new start.
Set goals. Once you've explored your history, you can begin to specify your present intentions, whether this means greeting each morning with a Sun Salutation or attending a weekly studio class.
Find your community. Discovering a place to call home can bring joy and longevity to your practice.
Accept support. Make good use of your personal network by accepting any encouragement that friends and family offer.
IN THIS ISSUE
You Can Go Om Again
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1637
Setbacks are common in asana practice. A difficult pregnancy, an injury or illness, or an emotional upset can take the steam out of a once-joyful practice. There are times, too, when life just gets in the way. With children to raise, aging parents to care for, and jobs and chores to do, committing to yoga isn't easy. But even those of us with lapses of months or even years can make a successful return to the mat. By taking time to examine the reasons you stopped and your motivations for returning, you can ensure that this time around, your practice will prove fluid and flexible enough to remain a permanent part of your life.
If it's been a while since you've seen your mat, try the following:
Identify and address your reasons for having left yoga, so those same issues won't thwart your attempts to return.
Make adjustments. If a major life change precipitated the end of your yoga routine, you may have to make significant alterations to succeed at a new start.
Set goals. Once you've explored your history, you can begin to specify your present intentions, whether this means greeting each morning with a Sun Salutation or attending a weekly studio class.
Find your community. Discovering a place to call home can bring joy and longevity to your practice.
Accept support. Make good use of your personal network by accepting any encouragement that friends and family offer.
IN THIS ISSUE
You Can Go Om Again
http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1637
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
My weekend of classes and The Work
I just learned about The Work by Byron Katie. She wrote "Loving What Is" which pretty much says it all.
From the website www.thework.com:
"The Work is a simple yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches you to identify and question thoughts that cause all the suffering in the world. It's a way to understand what's hurting you, and to address your problems with clarity.
People who do The Work as an ongoing practice report life-changing results."
It's truly amazing stuff. However, a lot of "stuff" came up for me while doing this process (me and everyone else in class). I couldn't believe how much resistance I had towards this practice. The questions that you ask yourself are so simple, yet incredibly difficult. It's scary when you go to that place of suffering and begin to experience it again.
After class on Sunday, my mind was racing, so I had to go for a nice, long walk and get some fresh air. However, a lot of things carried over onto Monday but I realized it was just my mind talking shit again. Some tears did come up again but I felt like it was the last of them for awhile. It's like when you hold back tears and all of sudden they well up again the next day or next week or month.
All I can do is breath.......
From the website www.thework.com:
"The Work is a simple yet powerful process of inquiry that teaches you to identify and question thoughts that cause all the suffering in the world. It's a way to understand what's hurting you, and to address your problems with clarity.
People who do The Work as an ongoing practice report life-changing results."
It's truly amazing stuff. However, a lot of "stuff" came up for me while doing this process (me and everyone else in class). I couldn't believe how much resistance I had towards this practice. The questions that you ask yourself are so simple, yet incredibly difficult. It's scary when you go to that place of suffering and begin to experience it again.
After class on Sunday, my mind was racing, so I had to go for a nice, long walk and get some fresh air. However, a lot of things carried over onto Monday but I realized it was just my mind talking shit again. Some tears did come up again but I felt like it was the last of them for awhile. It's like when you hold back tears and all of sudden they well up again the next day or next week or month.
All I can do is breath.......
Time to Practice from Yoga Journal Mag
Time to Practice
Are some poses more appropriate in the morning and are others better in the afternoon?
Aside from the general distinction between such heating/energizing poses as Sun Salutes and backbends, which tend to be more beneficial in the morning, and such cooling poses as forward bends and certain inversions, which are more likely to calm one down in the evening, it really depends on the person.
If, for example, you are naturally a more flexible or "bendy" person, there is a case to be made for practicing in the morning when you are a little bit tighter, and therefore less likely to injure yourself by overstretching. If you are naturally on the stiffer end of the spectrum, you may feel more limber if you practice in the latter part of the day, after you have been moving around for a while. Different factors come into play for everyone, so try observing the effects of your practice and of specific postures at different times of the day. Then make your determination, based on the way you feel both physically and energetically.
IN THIS ISSUE
Here Comes the Sun
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/928
Are some poses more appropriate in the morning and are others better in the afternoon?
Aside from the general distinction between such heating/energizing poses as Sun Salutes and backbends, which tend to be more beneficial in the morning, and such cooling poses as forward bends and certain inversions, which are more likely to calm one down in the evening, it really depends on the person.
If, for example, you are naturally a more flexible or "bendy" person, there is a case to be made for practicing in the morning when you are a little bit tighter, and therefore less likely to injure yourself by overstretching. If you are naturally on the stiffer end of the spectrum, you may feel more limber if you practice in the latter part of the day, after you have been moving around for a while. Different factors come into play for everyone, so try observing the effects of your practice and of specific postures at different times of the day. Then make your determination, based on the way you feel both physically and energetically.
IN THIS ISSUE
Here Comes the Sun
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/928
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Holistic Health and Loving What Is
What a concept! I've been learning immensely in the Holistic Health program I'm currently enrolled in. I've met wonderful people, learned wonderful, new things about living. The book I'm reading for one of my classes is "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie. The title says it all. This author explains "The Work" which is a 4 question inquiry into our thoughts. It's how we think of our judgements on people, places, concepts constantly where it doesn't change and only makes us feel terrible. It's so simple it's crazy!
How can we change a negative thought/judgement into a more stress-free thought? For example, people walk all over me. Instead, I walk all over people. It goes more deeper than that but that's just off the top of my head. This "work" is very inspiring and I want to do all the time. Also, the shoulds and should nots. These words always make me feel bad. In The Work, it shows how to turn the statement around and see it from another perspective. It's so eye-opening.
I will continue to love what is as that will bring me happiness and joy.
How can we change a negative thought/judgement into a more stress-free thought? For example, people walk all over me. Instead, I walk all over people. It goes more deeper than that but that's just off the top of my head. This "work" is very inspiring and I want to do all the time. Also, the shoulds and should nots. These words always make me feel bad. In The Work, it shows how to turn the statement around and see it from another perspective. It's so eye-opening.
I will continue to love what is as that will bring me happiness and joy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)